Tonight’s ball game gave you just about everything you could ever want if you’re a fan of the old pitchers’ duel. Respective aces Lucas Giolito and Shane Bieber went toe-to-toe, combining for 19 strikeouts and 26 innings pitched, as Giolito went for seven, and Bieber a full nine. However, the extra innings bug bit the Sox for the second time in the last three games, as the Indians prevailed 2-0 in this instant classic. The White Sox fall to 5-6 on the season, but look to lock up at least a split with Cleveland tomorrow.
W: Shane Bieber (1-1) | L: Garrett Crochet (0-2) | S: James Karinchak (2)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Lucas Giolito: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Although Shane Bieber’s line is the story of the night, Lucas Giolito was flawless yet again. Lowering his ERA to 2.55, Giolito once again proved why he is the ace of this team. He struck out one of the leagues best in Jose Ramirez, and had the changeup working beautifully. Despite the no decision and ultimate loss by the White Sox, Giolito has nothing to hang his head about.
Evan Marshall: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, K
Evan Marshall has slowly become one of the White Sox’s most solid and reliable pieces from the bullpen. After two nights of solid relief, the Sox finally have a solid middle reliever they can rely on, from a group that’s had its fair share of issues early on.
Matchup of the Game
Tonight’s matchup of the game is Yermin Mercedes vs. Shane Bieber. A surprise many, Tony La Russa went with Jake Lamb at DH instead of Mercedes. Therefore, Mercedes saw Bieber in the bottom of the ninth after he had already thrown 91 pitches. Mercedes hit a debatable “foul” ball down the right field line and really made Bieber work for it.
Bieber threw just about everything he had in the arsenal at Mercedes, and it turned into what was a lengthy at bat for tonight. Mercedes continues to impress early on in the season, as even when he gets out, he puts up good at-bats while doing so. This at-bat versus Bieber was one of the best of the night.
Player of the Game
Lucas Giolito was tremendous, as was Shane Bieber. The White Sox struggled offensively, yet again. If it weren’t for Giolito, they would not have been able to survive this one. Therefore, he is your player of the game.
Next Game
The White Sox continue the four game series with Cleveland tomorrow for game number three.
The pitching doesn’t get much easier, as they’ll face Cleveland’s number two starter, Zach Plesac. Carlos Rodon is expected to be on the bump for the Sox.
The game will be available on NBC Sports Chicago.
LaRussa screwed another game up. First by not having Mercedes in the starting lineup and then bringing Crochet in a high leverage situation in the 10th and then leaving him in so that Cleveland gets 2 runs in the 10th. This is NOT Hall of Fame managing by any stretch of the imagination. LaRussa has already been directly responsible for several of the Sox losses this year. And the lineups he puts on the field are stupid in both order and the players playing. Williams has yet to record a hit a lot of at bats and Lamb hadn’t played before last nite.